Argentina secured their place in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals with a hard-fought 3-1 extra-time victory over Switzerland at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Sunday.
The South Americans took a deserved lead in the 10th minute when Alexis Mac Allister converted Lionel Messi’s clever assist, capitalising on a dominant opening spell. Switzerland struggled to contain Messi’s orchestration throughout the first half and offered little attacking threat before the interval.
The Swiss emerged with renewed purpose after the restart and levelled in the 67th minute. Dan Ndoye finished calmly from Ricardo Rodriguez’s precise pass to restore parity.
Switzerland’s momentum, however, unravelled five minutes later when Breel Embolo received his second yellow card following a late challenge, reducing his side to ten men for the remainder of the contest.
Neither side could find a decisive goal in normal time, sending the gripping tie into an additional 30 minutes. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni introduced fresh legs, including Nicolas Gonzalez and Lautaro Martinez, to reclaim the ascendancy.
Tempers flared in extra-time, with Thiago Almada and Martinez both receiving cautions, but Argentina regained control in the 112th minute. Julian Alvarez finished clinically after excellent work from Junior Lopez to make it 2-1.
Lopez was booked two minutes later, but Martinez sealed the victory in stoppage time of extra-time, scoring Argentina’s third to confirm a deserved 3-1 triumph.
Switzerland earned admiration for their spirited response after falling behind, but Embolo’s dismissal ultimately proved decisive against Argentina’s superior quality and depth. The Albiceleste advance to the semi-finals, keeping their pursuit of another global title firmly alive.
(NAN)
